Green holds his hands up to horrendous error against US

RUSTENBURG - England goalkeeper Robert Green has held his hands up for the horrendous World Cup nightmare, where the Three Lions were forced to settle for a disappointing draw against the United States.

Green fumbled a tame shot from US striker Clint Dempsey into England’s goal, allowing the Americans to equalise and manage to tie the Group C match 1-1.

“It was a mistake. You don’t prepare mentally for making great saves, playing the perfect game, you prepare for trauma. That certainly happened today. It’s one that is regrettable,” News of The World quoted Green, as saying.

“I know I’m going to get flak for it. Playing football when you’re playing well is easy, it’s the tough times that you deal with,” he added.

Green has however pledged to bounce back from the ‘trauma’ and insisted he wanted to play in England’s next game against Algeria on Friday.

“At a younger point in my life it would have affected me more and it has in the past, but once it is done, you turn round, pick the ball out of the back of the net and say that’s that and move on, and don’t let it affect yourself in the next 50 minutes,” Green said.

I’m 30-years-old as a man. You have hardships in life and you prepare for it mentally, and that’s it. You’ve got to have a concrete head about these things. It’s going to bring up issues, but I’m strong enough to take it, I’m strong enough to move on.”

“I will do and be ready for the next game if selected,” he added. (ANI)